hawks should take a look
- bogiedoc

As a veteran #6/7 it isn't the worst of ideas.

I don't think so, in fact I can guarantee he won't. All you have to do is watch TVR's head, it's spinning out there...the game is moving at infinite speeds for him right now. TVR only played about 20 games this season for the Hawks, and in them he was protected and looked "okay", decent for a rookie. But coming off those two injuries and never playing in the NHL playoffs, he is close to being lost out there. The fact that he is in the lineup at all speaks volumes about how Q views the rest of the bunch. And to think that there is actually "talk" that Runblad will be back next year!?!? Incredible really...
- MexicoHawk

Not saying he's the savior. But I think he's been ok, and will get better. If i'm right I'm right, if not then oh well. As you said, its pick your poison with the 5-6 d men. I think he's been good enough though and will be better Saturday, along with Kane.

If he is, he will be playing for league minimum wage. And Bowman will make Q aware of the re-signing when he knows he is in a room with 4 rubber walls.
- RickJ

Yep, just incredible that ANYONE would be thinking about bringing Runblad back as a defenceman. If a player is incapable of stepping up during the playoffs, then they don't possess VALUE! If Bowman wants to experiment with him as a centre in Indy and then Rockford, fine, but he shouldn't be on ANY NHL roster right now.

As a veteran #6/7 it isn't the worst of ideas.
- TommyHawk

Nah, he's a loser, through and through. Heart of a chump, not a champ. (frank) him, let the loser penguins sign him or something, he can be their consolation prize for missing out on Saad haha

Once again I agree with all your points on Saad. I love watching him play with 19 and the press conference with 20/19 was great. Toews & Saad seem to have developed a great relationship which gives me the utmost confidence he is going nowhere. The bolded is my entire point with Kane. He is looking, hoping, waiting, ect for open ice. It isnt there. You have to create it by moving your feet, making the simple play, and fighting through some body/stick checks. He needs to work hard to create his offense and he is not working, he is looking for it
- EnzoD

EXACTLY!!! This is the absolute perfect take on Kane's game right now. He doesn't need to be the one scoring goals, but he has got to start creating chances and that means moving your legs and working hard. He finally started to do that in the 3rd period last night and it gave Tampa fits! This "slump" that Patrick is in is all on Patrick Kane and not what Tampa is or isn't doing.

I don't think so, in fact I can guarantee he won't. All you have to do is watch TVR's head, it's spinning out there...the game is moving at infinite speeds for him right now. TVR only played about 20 games this season for the Hawks, and in them he was protected and looked "okay", decent for a rookie. But coming off those two injuries and never playing in the NHL playoffs, he is close to being lost out there. The fact that he is in the lineup at all speaks volumes about how Q views the rest of the bunch. And to think that there is actually "talk" that Runblad will be back next year!?!? Incredible really...
- MexicoHawk

I just don't see that happening either. Hawks are about the postseason & Rundblad has not shown he's fully up to the task

His game is all about open ice as is Stamkos'. Are you suggesting Stamkos is also not working?
- paulr

Stamkos is working, and as such he is creating all sorts of chances for his line mates. Stamkos has worked very hard during this series, he has been "unlucky" not to have at least 3 or 4 goals already. Kane is lucky to have one assist. You create your own breaks...don't let anyone else tell you otherwise!

I just don't see that happening either. Hawks are about the postseason & Rundblad has not shown he's fully up to the task
- grinder10

Exactly...let some other franchise take a chance with this guy. We should only entertain players that aren't afraid to bloody their noses.

I'm with you on this -- I see a guy "pouting," not working hard. Way too much coasting for my liking and I am just surprised that others are defending him (and/or don't see this). I am not disagreeing that Tampa is playing him tough, that Tampa is not giving him space.

But . . . that's on the O side of the puck. I see him coasting back and seeming totally disinterested in skating and playing hard. Honestly, he looks like the petulant Patrick Kane of his 1st years in the league and not the Kane we saw in 2013, 2014. Seemed that he had made the leap and we saw him skating hard on backchecks and making some of his own space.

Tampa is not going to GIVE Kane anything. If he wants it, he will have to TAKE it but I just don't see that fire.
- savvyone-1

Exactly, this is all on Patrick Kane. He has experienced far more attention than this before, he has got to start working hard to create chances, that's what he is paid to do!

Exactly, this is all on Patrick Kane. He has experienced far more attention than this before, he has got to start working hard to create chances, that's what he is paid to do!
- MexicoHawk

Maybe his dad needs to make another video of his play from previous seasons to get him out of his funk again.

Agreed! Some are blaming Kane for being lazy.
- paulr

Look at the players TB has that play against top 2 line right wingers....
Most credit needs to go their way.

Only players that have been noticeable in every game are Saad and Shaw at forwards followed by Hossa. Not a coincidence Saad and Shaw are younger guys.

It takes a lot of effort to drive to the net...That's what happened on both goals last night but for the most part not enough of that type of effort from enough of the forwards.

NHL Network Radio http://chirb.it/7xr0cm -Recap and look ahead.
Reasons to believe differently but even tho Hawks are gassed-imo to win Cup TB needs Gm 5.
@AlCimaglia

All Hawk forwards back check well, this is Coach Q's system of team defence and why we are in the top 3 every year. The problems we are experiencing simply come down to the fact that Q has been riding essentially 5 forwards and they are GASSED, while Tampa incredibly has no downtime in their game. This is why I have been advocating the urgent necessity for Q to go back to rolling 4 lines. You must have FRESH LEGS to play two way hockey!
- MexicoHawk

Yeah Q has been riding the top forwards, but no more so than Cooper has been riding his main guys. Q loves the match-up game as we all know, So if Cooper has been throwing out his top 6, Q counters with more of the same. TB actually has more guys with limited minuted than the Hawks do (4 @ 9 minutes or less vs. 3 Hawks at 9 or less), and in addition had 3 forwards with 20+ minutes, the Hawks had 2.

TB definitely has younger legs, and less mileage on them over the last 5 years and it shows. Hopefully w/three left it is where experience overcomes the fresher legs, maybe with a little helping of Goalie uncertainty for TB.

Any news at all if Bishop will be back in net?

Maybe his dad needs to make another video of his play from previous seasons to get him out of his funk again.
- MNHawk

Thought that was bickell who tried to watch his highlights to get him going?

Stamkos is working, and as such he is creating all sorts of chances for his line mates. Stamkos has worked very hard during this series, he has been "unlucky" not to have at least 3 or 4 goals already. Kane is lucky to have one assist. You create your own breaks...don't let anyone else tell you otherwise!
- MexicoHawk

I think Crawford has something to do with his "unluckyness". Its a good thing to...if 91 does have 3-4 at this point the hawks are either swept or it definately 3-1. but I digress...

Kane had to great looks and if he scored on those...my how the narrative changes by fractions of a second.

hey any of you keen observers wondering what tampa guys are hurt: how about johnson....something not right with him.

My posts have everything to do with one sided piling on with his game....when his performance and work over the last three years gets marginalized and dismissed.

So called "soft" goals are in the eye of the beholder and that was the point of my post. Unless you and others want to publish empirical based criteria of what separates a "soft" goal from a "hard" goal.

Of course he like every one else on this team has been up and down. And no I won't argue with him about his analysis of his play.

If the hawks lose this series its been predetermined he will be the demonized scape goat. A 1-0 loss last night and some here would hanged that all on him.
- bogiedoc

Bogie, this is the same fate for any player that makes that kind of money and is perceived not to produce. Look at all the "heat" Kane is rightfully taking now. We are tight against the CAP (in fact, we far exceed it due to a loophole) and Q is forced to skate the likes of Runblad, KT, Cumiskey and TVR. These "high priced" players MUST produce to justify the existence of the 4 players I just mentioned.

Crawford has played well, but he has been up and down, and in a series where their net minders aren't letting in more than 2 goals, the spotlight is on Corey. Every time Corey lets in a relatively soft goal while the likes of TVR, Cumiskey, KT and Runblad are on the ice, his contract immediately becomes relevant; a tough reality, but fair nonetheless. The same can be said of Bickell. Tough to be paying him $4 million just to ride the pine!

Any news at all if Bishop will be back in net?
- BlackhawkMike

my guess...he will play saturday....cooper aint going to talk so won't know to gametime...

hey any of you keen observers wondering what tampa guys are hurt: how about johnson....something not right with him.
- bogiedoc

He didnt take 1 faceoff right ?

Id day he is hurt


Garrison was never fast but something didnt look right about him either.


We'll see

my guess...he will play saturday....cooper aint going to talk so won't know to gametime...
- bogiedoc

How is it that we know the Hawks lineup at 8 or 9 am on gamedays but Cooper is able to keep the starting goalie a secret until the pre-anthem warm ups?

#Qcantkeepasecret

hey any of you keen observers wondering what tampa guys are hurt: how about johnson....something not right with him.
- bogiedoc

Think he is feeling the effect from a slash that took place in game 6 or 7 of the ECF or early in this series. He's not taking faceoffs and as you said, he looks off.

He didnt take 1 faceoff right ?

Id day he is hurt


Garrison was never fast but something didnt look right about him either.


We'll see
- mrpaulish

Don't believe he did. Thought I heard on the NBCSN broadcast he hadn't been for a few games now

Geez I kinda forgot about the guy until I saw this post

hey any of you keen observers wondering what tampa guys are hurt: how about johnson....something not right with him.
- bogiedoc

Maybe explains why he keeps double clutching the puck on their powerplays instead of one-timing?

Just read that everyone's favorite St Louis Blue (Jackman) was told he won't be resigned by the team.
- MNHawk

Your guys can bid first.

Thought that was bickell who tried to watch his highlights to get him going?
- BlazinMike

Yeah, Bickell did do that but I'm pretty sure, if my hazy memory is accurate, that Kane's dad did the same thing for Patrick a couple years ago maybe?